Poll shows Clinton widening gap over Trump in Wisconsin

Democratic candidate holds 10 point lead over Republican presidential nominee for Wisconsin voters

According to the most recent Marquette Law School Poll released Wednesday, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has strengthened her lead among likely voters in Wisconsin.

Among the registered voters polled, 46 percent supported Clinton, while 36 percent supported Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. The gap between the two candidates increased from July’s poll, which had Clinton at 43 percent and Trump at 37 percent.

Additionally, 16 percent of registered voters said they will not vote for either candidate, will not vote or don’t know yet — a two point decrease from last month’s results.

According to poll results, Democratic commitment to voting increased by 3 percent, whereas Republican commitment decreased by 2 percent. Among Democrats and Democratic-leaners, 81 percent are absolutely certain they will vote and Republicans and GOP-leaners are 78 percent absolutely certain.

In Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race, support for former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisc., rose 1 point — from 48 percent to 49 percent since the July poll. Support for incumbent U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., rose 2 points — from 41 percent to 43 percent.

Respondents were also asked about Gov. Scott Walker’s performance. His approval rating remained unchanged from July, sitting at 38 percent. Walker’s disapproval rating was 59 percent, a one percent increase from July.

"We;ve just not seen a lot of shift in this," @PollsAndVotes says of Walker job approval ratings in recent months. #mulawpoll

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., was viewed favorably by 54 percent of registered voters and unfavorably by 31 percent, while 14 percent had no opinion of him.

For the state of the state, 45 percent of registered voters said Wisconsin is headed in the right direction, but 51 percent said Wisconsin is headed in the wrong direction.

Respondents were also asked how the state should deal with a projected $939 million shortfall in next year’s transportation budget. Forty-three percent said they would increase gas taxes or registration fees, 33 percent said they would cut road project spending and 12 percent said to borrow the money needed to maintain current taxes and projects.